The Independent-Record from Helena, Montana • 6

6A Independent Record THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011 Helena attorney files for PSC seat Esther 'Ann' Grimm How glorious it shall be to celebrate this Christmas with Jesus! Esther "Ann" Grimm, 81, of Helena departed this life and began anew on Dec. 12, 2011, while surrounded by her family. Born July 28, 1930, to Czechoslovakian Immigrants in Pittsburgh, Ann married and gave birth to six children before moving to Montana in 1982. She loved the Western way of life, her family and friends, bingo, Steelers Football, and most of all; her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She has touched the lives of many with her wisdom, kind- John Joseph Kanta John Joseph Kanta passed away Dec.

13, 2011. He was born Jan. 26, 1926, to Frank and Susan (Rusnek) Kanta in Sumatra. He was raised in the Catholic religion with nine other siblings and was a faithful member of St. Mary Catholic Community.

In December of 1944, John enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Kyoto, Japan. He was honorably discharged in November of 1946. He returned home to Montana and was united in marriage to Marion Schulenberg in Forsyth, on Nov. 21, 1947.

Their union lasted 52 years. John began a life- Leatrice Joyce Lawson (Bianco) Mrs. Leatrice Joyce Lawson (Bianco), 82, passed from this life on Nov. 15, after losing a 40- year battle with diabetes and its complications. She was born on Dec.

21, 1928, at Punxsutawney, the home of the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. She was the only child of Giacomo Bianco and Philippine Bianco (Seriani). A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother, she faced all the trials and a tribulation of a growing family, making ends meet on a military limited budget, and was a fair referee to children's disagreements and Floyd Gerald 'Sonny' De La Hunt Jr. Floyd Gerald "Sonny" De La Hunt Jr. passed away on Dec.

9, 2011, from complications of a four- -year battle with cancer. Sonny was born on July 6, 1940, in Anaconda to Floyd and Helen De La Hunt. He attended local schools and graduated from the Anaconda Central School in 1958, later attending Montana Tech in Butte until he hired on with the state of Montana as a designer for the highway department. Sonny spent a good portion of his life involved with the Belmont Ski Club; he ran the lifts for all to enjoy. Sonny spent the later part of his life driving his semi -truck up and down the highways and byways he helped design, bringing loads of your favorite beer to the distibutors.

He also drove buses as a part- -time job. His love Crash continued from 5A spokeswoman said. Her name has not been released. The woman was a passenger in a vehicle that rolled early in the morning on U.S. Highway 12 in Helena.

The woman believed to be the driver of the car, a 30-year-old woman from Helena, has been upgraded from stable to good condition while being treated in Great Falls, Ogden said. Good condition means the patient has stable vital signs, is conscious and comfortable and the out ness, compassion, gentleness, and love. Although she no longer dwells here on this earth, her Grimm legacy will live on. She is preceded in death by her husband, Earl Grimm; son, Douglas Grimm; infant daughter, Deborah; parents, John and Anna Strnad; and sister, Lydia Roberson. She is survived by her brother, John (Audrey) Strnad of Fairhope sister, Helen Ellis of McKinney, long career in construction, including heavy equipment operator and mechanic.

John never retired and continued working for Gruber Excavating through the summer of 2011. In his early years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and hard work but his real passion was his family. John was happiest in the presence of his family, especially his grandchil- Lawson quarrels. She attended local schools, graduating from Punxsutawney High School in 1946 and went on to attend and graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1950. She worked for a time at the Tank Division of Chrysler in Detroit, but decided to broaden her horizons and.

joined the U.S. Air Force. She served two years in the Air Force and was a veter- for the open road was enjoyed on his Honda Goldwings. His passion for driving was summed up in his favorite, a 1949 Willys jeep, which he drove thoughout the hills of Montana, picking up old cans to recycle to pay for the gas. Sonny is survived by his partner for life, Larie Proul of Helena and her son, Mathew Swenson; his four children, Loni De La Hunt of Phoenix, Kelly De La Hunt and Traci Steen of Helena, Helen De La Hunt and Bob Orris of Tampa, and Kasey and Kim De La Hunt; and grandchildren, Dillon and Alex De La Hunt of Helena.

Sonny is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. A reception will be held for family and friends at the VFW in East Helena on Dec. 17, from 2 to 6 p.m. Snacks and refreshments will be available. If you have any pictures or stories of Sonny, please bring them for all to share.

look for recovery is good or excellent, Ogden said. The woman who died, Devon Richetti, 31, was in the front passenger seat in a car headed west on Highway 12 when it went off the road, flipped and came to rest on its wheels, according to Lewis and Clark County Coroner Mickey Nelson. She died later Friday at Benefis from severe head and torso injuries. Nelson said the car's airbags were deployed, but none of the passengers was wearing a seat belt. All were ejected from the vehicle.

He said speed was definitely a factor in the crash and toxicology results should be back within a month to six weeks. Texas; children, David (Sue) Grimm of Clinton, Joyce (Larry) Dibble of East Helena, Janet (Kevin) Cavanaugh of East Helena, Duane (LuAnne) Grimm of Ambridge, grandchildren, Matthew (Shelley) Eichenfels of Pittsburgh, Amanda and Kayla Eichenfels of Helena, Coy, Connor and Nolan Cavanaugh of Helena, Dara (Ryan) Heick of Helena, and Maria (Cory) Tollefson of Helena; great grandchildren, Alarica Eichenfels of Pittsburgh, Billy Hamilton of Manhattan, Donovan, Haley and Emme Heick of Helena, Colton Tollefson of Hele- dren, and friends, recalling old times and sharing a drink. He was also a big Griz football fan. John is survived by his five daughters, Kathy Olson, Gloria Kanta, Carla Kaufman, Ellen Kanta and Johnna Kanta; three sons, David Kanta, Patrick Kanta and Cory Kanta; 11 six great -grand- children; brothers, Gesa Kanta of Forsyth, Paul Kanta of Forsyth and Joe Kanta of Melstone; sisters, Mary Perkins of St. Louis, Ann Kanta of Billings and Terry Wilson of Melstone.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marion; his parents; sister, Ethel, and brothers, Frank Jr. an of the Korean War. She was awarded the American Spirit of Honor Medal for being the outstanding trainee in her basic training flight. She was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal. She turned down the opportunity to attend Officers Candidate School, preferring to get hands- on experience before taking that step.

She then met and married her husband to be for the next 60 years, took a discharge, and then raised a family of five. Her husband retired from the Air Force at Cannon AFB, N.M., and they moved to Oceanside, where he worked and retired again from Pacific Bell after 22 years. They then na, sister Shirley (Aldo) DelBianco of Pittsburgh, and many dear friends. A celebration of life will be held at Sts. Cyril and Methodius at noon on Saturday, Dec.

17, 120 W. Riggs, East Helena, MT 59635. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ann's name to: Lewis and Clark Veterans Council Honor Guard, Dennis Streeter, 1272 Lucehese Road, Helena MT, 59602. To offer condolences or share a memory of Ann, please visit: www.retz funeralhome.com. GO STEELERS! Kanta Dillon native James Brown said Wednesday he is running for the Montana Public Service Commission District 3 seat in 2012 as a Republican.

Brown, 40, is the first announced candidate from either political party for the seat that encompasses the southwestern and south central parts of the state. Incumbent Public Service Commissioner John Vincent, D-Gallatin Gateway, said he intends to seek re-election to the regulatory board. An attorney, Brown said he isn't running for the PSC because he needs a job, but rather to "change Montana's regulatory environment that stands in the way of Brown people creating jobs." Brown IR State Bureau and Rudy. Memorials are suggested to the Cancer Treatment Center St. Peter's Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave.

A vigil service will be 5 p.m. Friday at Saint Mary Catholic Community. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Saint Mary Catholic Community.

Rite of committal will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.asw funeralhome.com. both decided to move to Montana, where her husband's ancestors were pioneers and they could pursue a simpler life. Leatrice was preceded in death by her parents and son Richard. She is survived by her husband Charles of Townsend, son Michael of Kansas, daughters Jackie of Oxnard, Phyllis, Kathy of Vista, five grandchildren; and one great -grandson, Lincoln Alexander Knight of Barksdale Air.

Force Base, La. Cremation has taken place and interment was at Resurrection Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneral home.com. Funeral Home Crematory Celebrating a Life Lived Chris Holt Christina Walsh LaRae Hartman 315 E. Sixth Avenue, Helena, Montana 406.442.1550 www.retzfuneralhome.com TOYS FOR TOTS DROP Rets Retz Funeral Home is an official drop site for the Helena Toys for Tots through today.

We ask that you bring a new unwrapped toy for children in need in the Helena and surrounding areas. Call 442-1550 with questions. FRIDAY BOCK, Rebecca 76, of Clancy. A memorial service is scheduled at 2 p.m., Friday, December 16, at Retz Funeral Home Chapel. Inurnment will be held on Saturday, Dec.

17, at noon at the Sheridan Cemetery in Sheridan. To offer condolences or share a memory of Rebecca, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com. SATURDAY GRIMM, Esther 81, of Helena. A Mass is scheduled for noon Saturday, Dec. 17, at Sts.

Cyril Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena. A reception will be held at the Christ's Church, 921 E. 6th Helena immediately following the service. Memorials may be sent in Esther's name to the Lewis and Clark Veterans Council Honor Guard, Dennis Streeter, 1272 Lucchese Road, Helena, MT 59602. To offer condolences or share a memory of Esther, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.c ForTheRecord Selected reports received by the Helena and Lewis and Clark County dispatch center from 4 p.m.

Nov. 13 to 4 p.m. Nov. 14. Tuesday 5:51 p.m., theft, 2200 block of North Montana.

5:57 p.m., theft, 2700 block of Prospect Avenue. 6:16 p.m., theft, 3100 block of North Montana. 7:57 p.m., theft, 1200 block of North Last Chance Gulch. Wednesday 12:19 a.m., assault, 300 block North Last Chance Gulch 1:02 a.m., assault, initial block North Last Chance Gulch. 3:20 a.m., criminal mischief, 2000 block of Hauser Boulevard.

7:15 a.m., criminal mischief, 700 block of Ninth Avenue. 7:47 a.m., accident with injuries, Interstate 15 mile marker 224 South. 7:59 a.m., assault, 200 block of East Broadway 8:57 a.m., criminal mischief, 3200 block of Dredge Drive. 10:21 a.m., burglary, 5600 block of Alabama Drive. 11:21 a.m., criminal mischief, 200 block East Broadway 12:46 p.m., theft, 900 block of Euclid Avenue.

2:25 p.m., disorderly conduct. 1000 block North Rodney from the University of Montana in 1994. He received a law degree from Seattle University in 2004 and a master's in tax law from the University of Washington in 2005. Before pursuing a legal career, Brown worked in Washington, D.C., as an aide for several members of Congress, including former U.S. Sen.

Conrad Burns, R-Mont. He is a private attorney who primarily practices in the areas of water, energy, land use, tax and First Amendment political speech and association protection. He practices with the Doney, Crowley, Payne, Bloomquist law firm, which has offices in Helena and Dillon. "I can remember a time when Montana had some of the lowest power rates in the nation," Brown said. "Now Montanans pay some of the highest power rates in the nation.

This is the result of poor government decision -making, such as the Montana Power Co. fiasco, and even poorer decision- -making on the part of regulatory bodies like the PSC." Montanans have seen economic opportunities here diminished because of poor regulatory decisions and policy, he said. "It's no secret why Montana ranks 43rd in per capita household income," Brown said. "It's because Montana has seen a loss of stable growth in our private economy, while we have seen an increase in our power bills, namely commercial power bills, due to government -mandated programs and hidden utility bill surcharges." Brown said he would work to put the interests of Montana energy consumers ahead of out -ofstate corporations and special interest groups and will work to ensure that Montana's regulated entities engage in solid business practices. He said a change is needed to move the PSC away from focusing on its personality conflicts toward a body that both protects Montana's energy consumers and promotes Montana -first regulatory policies.

"What the PSC needs is a commissioner with the Montana values of common sense and knowhow, and one that will be prepared to do the job that he was elected by the taxpayers to do," he said. He is a fourth generation Montanan, whose greatgrandfather homesteaded in Beaverhead County in the 1880s. His grandfather built and operated the Elkhorn Lodge and Hot Springs near Polaris and was a foreman at the gold mine in what's now the ghost town of Bannack. Brown graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 1989 and received a bachelor's degree in history and political science Anderson Stevenson Wilkes Funeral Home Crematory Serrang all families with dignity Randy Wilke 3750 N. Montana Erik Bass 406.442.8520 'Mikel www.aswfuneralhome.com Stevenson "In Our Care" PENDING HURNI, John 93, of Helena.

Services will take place at a later date. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com. TODAY HIBBARD, Jane Goodsill, 89, of Helena. A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. today, Dec.

15, at St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral. A reception will be at Green Meadow Country Club immediately following the memorial service. For those who wish to make memorial contributions in Jane's name, the family suggests the Staff Fund at Waterford, 915 Saddle Drive, Helena 59601; the Archie Bray Foundation, 2915 Country Club Helena 59602; or the Charlie Russell Museum, 400 13th St. Great Falls 59401.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com. SATURDAY KANTA, John 85, of Helena. Visitation for family and friends will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec.

16, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A vigil service will be at 5 p.m. Friday at Saint Mary Catholic Community. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 17, at Saint Mary Catholic Community. Rite of committal will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com. MONDAY DAVIS, Jeannie Marie "Kittie," 95, of Helena.

A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.

www.aswfuneralhome.com. THURSDAY (Dec. 22, 2011) GRAHAM, Gerald 80, of East Helena. Funeral Mass is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 22, at Sts.

Cyril Methodius Catholic Church. Burial will follow a at St. Ann's Cemetery. Time will be announced when known. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.

TUESDAY (Dec. 27, 2011) BAUCUS, Jean 94, of Helena passed away peacefully at her home in Helena, Dec. 10. A social gathering will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec.

27, on the second floor of the Montana Club with a sharing of stories and remembrances from family and friends to start at 2 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com or retzfuneral Big Sky Cremations) www.bigskyfunerals.com Simple Service 227-2241 AM-20182701 TWICHEL Funeral Cremation Services www.twichelfuneral.com DH-20182771 442-4640.